The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has stationed two advanced T129 Atak helicopters manufactured by Turkish Aerospace at its newly established base at Umar Musa Yaradua Airport in Katsina.
Defense Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar recently visited the site to inspect the helicopters and evaluate their readiness for use in Operation ‘Fansan Yamma.’
This deployment includes two T129 Atak helicopters, alongside two Alpha Jets and two King Air aircraft.
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are also reported to be part of the deployment, though they were not present during the inspection.
The base, designated as NAF’s 213 Forward Operating Base (FOB), had previously supported Operation ‘Hadarin Daji’ but did not have aircraft permanently stationed there.
Highlighting the importance of the deployment, Abubakar stated, “One of the platforms is here, and we will bring some more as promised.”
He also announced plans to set up an annexe at Sokoto International Airport, about 267 kilometres from Katsina, to expand NAF’s operational reach.
Prior to the establishment of this FOB in Katsina, the nearest NAF base capable of supporting aircraft was in Kaduna, approximately 270 kilometres from Katsina and 355 kilometres from Sokoto.
The new facilities are expected to reduce response times and strengthen Nigeria’s security efforts in the northwest
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